Prospect for Murder – A Natalie Seachrist Hawaiian Mystery

Prospect for Murder
282 Pages
ISBN 978-1-932926-88-0

Retired travel writer Natalie Seachrist has had visions since childhood, but her personal world shatters when her twin Nathan (a psychologist) confirms that the body she envisioned draped over a vintage Mustang was that of his granddaughter. As the police launch their customary investigation of the unexplained death, she and her feline companion Miss Una move to the Honolulu foothills apartments where Ariel fell to her death. With the cautionary advice of friend and retired homicide detective Keoni Hewitt, Natalie explores the premises and personalities surrounding her.

Soon she discovers the fascinating story of the Shànghăi origins of the affluent and elderly Chinese-Hawaiian Wong sisters who own the apartment complex...plus more than a little discord between Pearl Wong’s nephew and the handyman who owns the Mustang on which the college student died. Unfortunately, Natalie’s on-site sleuthing produces few concrete leads. But just as she questions the purpose of her mission, she experiences a vision from the perspective of her grandniece, and is forced to reveal her escalating visions.

At Natalie’s invitation, Keoni joins Nathan and her for meetings with the coroner and the Honolulu police detective who was once his partner. Despite items missing from Ariel’s effects, a lack of physical evidence points toward the death being an accident or suicide. But why would a young girl approaching the end of a successful college career kill herself? Natalie remains determined to solve the mystery before the police close their investigation without an arrest. But can she solve the riddle of the unexplained death before the murderer kills again to hide their secret?

Jeanne Burrows-Johnson

About Jeanne Burrows-Johnson (Hawaii Author)

Jeanne Burrows-Johnson

My writing embraces my life experiences in the performing arts, education, and marketing. My inspiration for storytelling is rooted in theatrical training during my youth and grew with the colorful tales shared by myriad characters in my life. I moved to Hawaii in 1973, where I taught performing arts classes and helped run Highland Games. Academically, I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Hawaii and membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Alpha Theta I am also a member of the National Writers Union, Sisters in Crime, Arizona Mystery Writers; and the British Association of Teachers of Dancing, Highland Division. While completing coursework toward a Master of Arts degree (concentration, the Allied Occupation of Japan, 1945-1954), I worked as a teaching assistant in the World Civilization program of the history department of the University of Hawaii. For many years I have provided marketing advice to entrepreneurs, executives, authors, and artists.

Some of my authored and co-authored work has appeared in: Broker World; Newport This Week, the Hawaii Medical Journal, and, The Rotarian. I also co-authored and served as art director and indexer of UNDER SONORAL SKIES, PROSE AND POETRY FROM THE HIGH DESERT [print, e-book and e-audio editions]. Having been a resident of Hawaii for 20 years, it’s not surprising that the Natalie Seachrist mysteries are set in its lush and multicultural environment. While sampling Island life and pan-Pacific history, my readers join in the heroine’s contemplation of haunting visions and puzzling deaths. The award-winning PROSPECT FOR MURDER and MURDER ON MOKULUA DRIVE have been joined by MURDERS OF CONVEYANCE. This third book in the series takes place during a Chinese New Year scavenger hunt across Oahu as Natalie, Keoni, and Miss Una explore two murders separated by sixty years.

You’ll find Island recipes, a comprehensive glossary of terms included in the mysteries and more information about Jeanne’s projects at my author website. There you can also learn about CONVERSATIONS WITH AUNTIE CAROL, A SERIES OF HAWAIIAN ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS. Caroline Kuliaikanuukapu Wilcox DeLima Farias was the grandniece of Hawaiian revolutionary Robert W. K. Wilcox, the cousin of Johanna Wilcox [the first woman registered to vote in Hawaii] and a performer of hula awana who was dancing at the Moana Hotel in Waikīkī on December 6, 1941. There’s also a link to my blog that helps authors and other creative professionals examine issues in shaping, refining, and marketing their work. Please use the contact forms on my websites to drop me a note . . .